Concentration of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn in fishes along Sembulan River

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn in fishes collected along Sembulan River. A total of four sampling points were set along the river according to their point source of pollution. Water and fish samples were collected along the river and dissected to different parts which were the gills, liver, gastro intestine, head, and muscle. All the organs were digested using nitric acid digestion method followed by analysis using ICP-OES. The trends of the heavy metals concentrations in gills, liver, gastro intestine, head, muscle, and water were analyzed. Overall, the heavy metals concentrations in all the fish organs showing the similar trends. The trends of heavy metals concentrations in gills and liver are the same which is Zn>Cr>Pb>Cu>Cd, while the trend of gastro intestine and muscle are the same which is Zn>Cr>Cu>Pb>Cd. The overall trend of head is Zn>Cr>Cu>Cd>Pb. In this study, concentrations of Zn were found to be the highest in all organs and water samples. The metals concentration in head and muscle of fishes along Sembulan River had exceeded the permissible level of USEPA. The good
news is, the heavy metals concentrations in head and muscle of the fishes are still away low compare to Akta Makanan 1985 in Malaysia. Based on this, we can conclude that the fishes in Sembulan River are safe for human consumption, but, precautions still needed for other pollutants and metals.